Three dimensional position observation method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

A three-dimensional position observation apparatus provided with a lens system having focusing and diaphragm mechanisms, for forming an image on an imaging plane by light from an observation object includes a beam steering member disposed in a light path extending from the observation object to the imaging plane, for changing a traveling direction of observation light into a plurality of different directions, and an image analyzing unit for analyzing a position of the observation object based on a positional relation between a plurality of images on the imaging plane formed by light passing through the beam steering member.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/988,187, filed Jan. 2, 2008, to which priorityis claimed under 35 U.S.C. §120 and through which priority is claimedunder 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-197049,filed Jul. 6, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a three-dimensional positionobservation method and apparatus for detecting with high precision athree-dimensional position of an observation object, in particular,three-dimensional motion of a microscopic particle under a microscope.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, there has been tremendous progress in opticalmicroscopy, which now reaches a stage where a single protein molecule inan aqueous solution can be studied as an object. This progress has beenachieved with the aid of new optical technologies such as totalreflection illuminations, development of various types of highlysensitive cameras, improvement in properties of optical filters, and thelike. A number of experimental techniques have been developed, and thusa new field called “a single molecular physiology” has emerged.

For example, in a molecular motor or a proteolytic enzyme, substratebinding involves a dynamic structural change, which is considered to beclosely linked to a function.

A demanded technique is to make such a structural change occurringinside a single biomolecule visible in a molecular level in a viablecondition under a microscope. Innovative techniques from a newperspective are required to advance this growing field to a next newstep.

One of techniques for observing a single protein molecule is that aprotein is specifically labeled with a fluorescence dye to catch asignal from a single fluorophore.

A fluorescence microscope has a structure incorporating an opticalsystem for emitting an excitation light for brightening the fluorescencedye when receiving a light with a specific wavelength, with use of a dyeemitting a light with a longer wavelength than the specific wavelength,and an optical microscope for observing thus generated fluorescence.

Where a reagent bound to a fluorescence dye is bound to a structureinside a cell as an observation object and then the fluorophore isirradiated with a light with a predetermined wavelength, the structureinside the cell as the object generates fluorescence in a blackbackground.

Since the number of fluorophores observable with a general fluorescencemicroscope is several dozen or more, it is impossible to discern thesingle fluorophore.

This is because an optical signal strength of a noise, i.e., abackground, is greater than that obtained from the single fluorophore.

In this regard, fluorescence microscopes improved for performanceupgrade, with which the single fluorophore is visible, have beendeveloped by improving a property of filters, a quality of objectivelenses, and the like.

The single fluorophore is observed through the use of such a property ofthe fluorophore as generating fluorescence by evanescent fieldillumination.

Specifically, the fluorophore is made to generate fluorescence byillumination of an object sample with use of the evanescent field as anon-propagating light, which is generated around a boundary surfacebetween an aqueous solution containing the object sample and a glass byirradiating the boundary surface with a laser beam at a total reflectionangle or greater by means of total reflection from the side of theglass.

Since the evanescent field is exponentially-attenuated with respect to adirect ion perpendicular to the boundary surface, only a local fieldnear the boundary surface is irradiated, thereby providing the advantagethat the intensity of background light is extremely low compared withthat of illumination with normal light.

Even under a condition that a number of fluorophores are present in theaqueous solution containing the object sample, there is a lowprobability that the fluorophore is present on the side of the aqueoussolution near the boundary surface, thereby resulting in a lowfluorescence from fluorophores other than the single target fluorophoresecured to a top of the boundary surface. Therefore, the noise due tothe fluorescence from the background light or other fluorophores isextremely low, which enables observation of the fluorescence from thesingle target fluorophore.

In the single-molecule observation by means of the total reflection,proteins, or biomolecule such as DNA or ATP as a substrate, which arelabeled with fluorescence dyes, are bound to a glass surface to detectrespective molecules as an independent bright point.

For two-dimensional imaging of a weak signal from the single molecule, ahighly sensitive camera is used, such as an image intensifier or acooled CCD camera.

The present inventors manufactured a total reflection fluorescencemicroscope to thereby detect a structural change of a specific part ofthe single biomolecule in real time by observation.

For example, “Total Reflection Fluorescence Microscope” described inJapanese Patent No. 3,577,514 relates to the basic concept and theoptical system of this technique and discloses a structure of the totalreflection fluorescencemicroscope which enables observation of a dyemolecule having a vibrating surface oriented in an arbitrary direction.

“Total Reflection Type Fluorescence Microscope and Illumination OpticalSystem” described in Japanese Patent No. 3,671,227 by the presentinventors discloses a total reflection fluorescence microscope whichenables observation of an target dye molecule regardless of a directionof shaking moment of a sample bound to a fluorophore.

As described above, although observation of a single biomolecule hasbecome possible, a positional information obtainable according to theprior art is two-dimensional information. That is, the information on avertical direction in which an objective lens moves cannot be obtained.

Observation of the three-dimensional positional information of an atomicmolecule moving under a microscope achieves quantum leaps such asprecise detection of displacement of the single protein molecule.

For example, the following documents also relate to the fluorescencemicroscope in the prior art: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2005-37572, “Illumination Device for Fluorescence Microscope andFluorescence Microscope”; Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2000-56233, “Device for Focusing with Adjustments Wavelength orWavelength Region in Light Irradiation Path in Microscope”; and PCTNational Publication No. 11-513145, “Confocal Microscope with DoubletSystem”.

There has been tremendous improvement in optical microscopy such as abright field microscopy, a dark field microscopy, a phase differencemicroscopy, a differential interference microscopy, and a laser confocalmicroscopy. However, the positional information obtained by conventionalmicroscopic observation is two-dimensional information in a surface (anx-y plane) parallel to a slide glass corresponding to a viewing plane,and positional information on a direction (a z-axis) perpendicular tothe aforementioned surface cannot be obtained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensionalposition observation method and an apparatus for implementing themethod, which three-dimensionally detects a position of an observationobject simultaneously and also contributes to high precision detectionof three-dimensional motion of one protein molecule moving under amicroscope.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a three-dimensionalposition observation method using a three-dimensional positionobservation apparatus provided with a lens system having focusing anddiaphragm mechanisms, for forming an image on an imaging plane by lightfrom an observation object includes disposing a beam steering member ina light path extending from the observation object to the imaging plane,the beam steering member for changing a traveling direction ofobservation light into a plurality of different directions, andanalyzing a position of the observation object based on a positionalrelation between a plurality of images on the imaging plane formed bylight passing through the beam steering member with an image analyzingunit.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a three-dimensionalposition observation method using a three-dimensional positionobservation apparatus provided with a lens system having focusing anddiaphragm mechanisms, for forming an image on an imaging plane by lightfrom an observation object includes disposing a beam steering member ina light path extending from the observation object to the imaging plane,for changing a part of a traveling direction of observation light, andanalyzing a position of the observation object based on a positionalrelation between an image on the imaging plane formed by light passingthrough the beam steering member and an image on the imaging planeformed by light not passing through the beam steering member with animage analyzing unit.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a three-dimensionalposition observation apparatus provided with a lens system havingfocusing and diaphragm mechanisms, for forming an image on an imagingplane by light from an observation object includes a beam steeringmember disposed in a light path extending from the observation object tothe imaging plane, for changing a traveling direction of observationlight into a plurality of different directions, and an image analyzingunit for analyzing a position of the observation object based on apositional relation between a plurality of images on the imaging planeformed by light passing through the beam steering member.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a three-dimensionalposition observation apparatus provided with a lens system havingfocusing and diaphragm mechanisms, for forming an image on an imagingplane by light from an observation object includes a beam steeringmember disposed in a light path extending from the observation object tothe imaging plane, for changing a part of a traveling direction ofobservation light, and an image analyzing unit for analyzing a positionof the observation object based on a positional relation between animage on the imaging plane formed by light passing through the beamsteering member and an image on the imaging plane formed by light notpassing through the beam steering member.

It is preferable that the beam steering member be a wedge prism, whichcontributes to simplification of a structure.

It is preferable that the beam steering member be two wedge prisms eachhaving the same inclination angle, and that the two wedge prisms bedisposed in a combined form such that inclination directions ofinclination surfaces are reversely oriented. In this manner, the imageis easily divided into two.

It is preferable that at least one of the wedge prisms be disposed suchthat the inclination surface faces a side of the imaging plane, whichsimplifies structuring of the optical system.

It is preferable that the imaging plane be a light receiving section ofan imaging unit such as a video camera, which enhances convenience of animage analyzing process.

It is preferable that the three-dimensional position observationapparatus have a structure of a fluorescence microscope to observe afluorescence dye.

It is preferable that the observation object be a microscopic particlebound to a fluorescent particle and contained in an aqueous solution todetect with high precision three-dimensional displacement of a proteinor the like.

It is preferable that the image analyzing unit calculates a center ofbrightness of each of the plurality of images on the imaging planeindependently to process calculation.

It is preferable that the image analyzing unit determine displacement ofthe observation object in a direction parallel to the imaging planebased on a displacement amount in the same direction of the plurality ofimages on the imaging surface.

It is preferable that the image analyzing unit determine displacement ofthe observation object in a direction perpendicular to the imaging planebased on a displacement amount in an opposite direction of the pluralityof images on the imaging surface.

This invention enables detection of three-dimensional displacement ofthe microscopic particle with the precision of angstrom order inprinciple, there by achieving imaging of dynamic features of proteins orthe like, which contributes to the elucidation of the operatingprinciple of a molecular motor or a proteolytic enzyme.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an essential structure of an observationapparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an image at the time of displacement of anobservation object in a z-direction;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an image at the time of displacement ofthe observation object in an x-direction;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an image at the time of displacement ofthe observation object in a y-direction;

FIG. 5 is a chart showing a relation between displacement in thex-direction and displacement of an objective lens;

FIG. 6 is a chart showing displacement of a single fluorescent particlein the x-direction over time;

FIG. 7 is a chart showing displacement of the single fluorescentparticle in the y-direction over time;

FIG. 8 is a chart showing displacement of the single fluorescentparticle in the z-direction over time;

FIG. 9 is a graph showing in three dimensions displacement of the singlefluorescent particle over time; and

FIG. 10 is a chart showing displacement in the z-direction at the timeof rectangular-wave input.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to drawings.

In examples cited here in, microscopic particles that are bound tofluorophores and contained in an aqueous solution are observed with afluorescence microscope. However, any means for forming an image of asample can be employed as a fluorescence microscope having an arbitraryillumination means. The present invention is not limited to a minuteobject but can be appropriately applied to a large object. As for aminute substance, for example, a microscopic particle of about 10 nm orthe single fluorophore is applicable.

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an essential structure of an observationapparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 2 to 4 areeach a schematic view showing the action of the observation apparatus.

The aqueous solution containing a sample as an observation object havinga fluorescence dye is held between a plurality of glass plates.

A beam steering member for changing a traveling direction of observationlight into a plurality of different directions is provide in a lightpath extending from the observation object to an imaging plane of a CCDcamera or the like.

A double-wedge prism is employed as the beam steering member in a shownexample. Generally, the wedge prism is employed as a useful componentfor equalizing minor optical path differences.

In the present embodiment, two wedge prisms in the same shape arecombined and disposed in a center of the light path. The number of wedgeprisms is not limited to two but can be three or more or may be one, asdescribed later. The plurality of wedge prisms are not required to be inthe same shape.

The two wedge prisms each having the same inclination angle are used andare disposed in a combined form in a manner that inclination directionsof inclination surfaces of the wedge prisms are reversely oriented. Itis preferable that the inclination surfaces face the camera.

Since the beam steering member is only required to have the effect ofchanging the traveling direction of a bright point signal, a mirror oran element which electrically controls a direction of a light ray can beemployed instead of the wedge prism.

The observation object is three-dimensionally movable in the aqueoussolution. The example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 shows three samplepositions A, B, C in array in a direction of vertical movement of theobjective lens (a direction of a z-axis). FIG. 2 schematically showsdisplacement of two images on the imaging plane when the observationobject is displaced in a direction perpendicular to a viewing plane (az-direction).

Focuses a, b, c correspond to images of the observation object placed atthe sample positions A, B, C in the direction of vertical movement ofthe objective lens (the direction of the z-axis), respectively.

Since each of the wedge prisms changes the traveling direction of theobservation light that passes therethrough, the observation light isdivided to thereby form two images.

Positions of the focuses a, b, c are displaced in association with thesample positions A, B, C, so that the two images reflect positions andshapes according to the sample positions A, B, C on the imaging plane ofthe camera.

In this regard, the centers of brightness of the two images on theimaging plane are symmetrically displaced in the opposite direction fromeach other when the observation object is displaced in the directionperpendicular to the viewing plane.

Thus, displacement in the direction parallel to the viewing plane can bedetermined as a relative amount from the amount of the displacement.

FIG. 3 is also a view illustrating displacement of two images on theimaging plane when the observation object is displaced in a horizontaldirection parallel to the viewing plane (an x-direction).

When the observation object is displaced in the horizontal directionparallel to the viewing plane (corresponding to sample positions B, D,E), the two images on the imaging plane are also displaced in the samehorizontal direction.

Thus, displacement in the direction parallel to the viewing plane can bedetermined as an absolute amount from the amount of the displacement.

In this regard, a position of each image on the imaging plane of acamera is determined by calculating the center of the brightnessindependently according to an image analysis.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating displacement of two images on the imagingplane when the observation object is displaced in a vertical direction(a y-direction) parallel to the viewing plane.

In this case also, when the observation object is displaced in avertical direction parallel to the viewing plane (corresponding tosample positions B, F, G), the two images on the imaging plane aredisplaced in the same vertical direction in a manner similar to the casedescribed above. Thus, displacement in a direction parallel to theviewing plane can be determined as an absolute amount from the amount ofthe displacement.

FIG. 5 is a chart showing a relation between displacement in thex-direction and displacement of the objective lens. A solid lineindicates an example of atypical experimental value while a dotted lineindicates an average value.

To determine the absolute amount of displacement in the z-direction, arelation between displacement of the objective lens and displacement inthe x-direction was indirectly determined by moving the objective lensup and down.

Specifically, the objective lens was displaced 0.1 μm by 0.1 μm withrespect to the fluorescent particle secured to the viewing plane tothereby measure a relative positional change of the two images. As aresult, a relation of “relative displacement in thex-direction=0.46×displacement in the z-direction” was determined in thisembodiment.

Brownian motion was analyzed utilizing the above system. FIGS. 6, 7, and8 are charts showing displacement of the single fluorescent particlewith a diameter of 0.5 μm for 8 seconds in x, y, and z directions,respectively. FIG. 9 is a graph showing this displacement in threedimensions. Dots in FIG. 9 were plotted every 33 milliseconds.

Thus, a trail of the particle moving under Brownian motion wasthree-dimensionally detected.

FIG. 10 is a chart showing displacement in the z-direction at the timeof input of a rectangular wave with an amplitude of 20 nm and afrequency of 0.5 Hz.

The positional precision of the single fluorescent particle absorbed toa glass surface was determined. The results are a value up to 4 nm inthe x-y direction and a value up to 15 nm in the z-direction. Thisresult revealed that the nanometer-order movement in the directionparallel to the viewing plane and 10 nanometer-order movement in theperpendicular direction can be three-dimensionally detected with respectto the single fluorescent particle.

Furthermore, the present invention also has an advantage that thethree-dimensional positional information can be obtained from the singleformed image.

The positional information with the precision of angstrom order can beobtained by keeping stability of a stage, lengthening exposure time ofthe single image, and enhancing filtering of the imaging data.

It is not necessarily required to form the plurality of wedge prisms asdescribed above. The plurality of wedge prisms may be used, throughwhich not all the observation light passes, but the observation lightthat travels in a straight line without polarization may be generated.

In this case also, displacement of the two images on the imaging planecan be detected in a manner similar to the case described above. Thus, aposition of the observation object can be analyzed based on a positionalrelation between the image on the imaging plane formed by light passingthrough the beam steering member and the image on the imaging planeformed by light not passing through the beam steering member.

A difference from the above embodiment is that an optical device issimplified and that a relative distance between the two images on theimaging plane is reduced by half.

The present invention enables the three-dimensional positionalinformation of the observation object to be obtained with a simplestructure. The present invention can be applied to any proteins with theaid of a label using the single fluorescent particle, and dynamicbehavior of the single molecule can be traced with the precision ofangstrom order.

Thus, a structural change of a biomolecule can be displayed in real timein three dimensions, which provides the momentum to the single molecularphysiology and can be used for various purposes and is industrially veryuseful.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A three-dimensional position observationmethod using a three-dimensional position observation apparatus providedwith a lens system having focusing and diaphragm mechanisms, for formingan image on an imaging plane by light from an observation object, thethree-dimensional position observation method comprising: providing anobservation object that is allowed to undergo random motion duringthree-dimensional position observation; disposing a beam steering memberin a light path extending from the observation object to the imagingplane, the beam steering member for changing a traveling direction ofobservation light into a plurality of different directions; andanalyzing a position of the observation object based on a positionalrelation between a plurality of images on the imaging plane formed bylight passing through the beam steering member with an image analyzingunit.
 2. A three-dimensional position observation apparatus providedwith a lens system having focusing and diaphragm mechanisms, for formingan image on an imaging plane by light from an observation object, thethree-dimensional position observation apparatus comprising: structurefor containing an observation object that allows the observation objectto undergo random motion during three-dimensional position observation;a beam steering member disposed in a light path extending from theobservation object to the imaging plane, for changing a travelingdirection of observation light into a plurality of different directions;and an image analyzing unit for analyzing a position of the observationobject based on a positional relation between a plurality of images onthe imaging plane formed by light passing through the beam steeringmember, wherein the beam steering member is two wedge prisms each havingthe same inclination angle, and wherein the two wedge prisms aredisposed in a combined form such that inclination directions ofinclination surfaces are reversely oriented, and wherein at least one ofthe wedge prisms is disposed such that the inclination surface faces aside of the imaging plane.
 3. A three-dimensional position observationapparatus provided with a lens system having focusing and diaphragmmechanisms, for forming an image on an imaging plane by light from anobservation object, the three-dimensional position observation apparatuscomprising: structure for containing an observation object that allowsthe observation object to undergo random motion during three-dimensionalposition observation; a beam steering member disposed in a light pathextending from the observation object to the imaging plane, for changinga traveling direction of observation light into a plurality of differentdirections; and an image analyzing unit for analyzing a position of theobservation object based on a positional relation between a plurality ofimages on the imaging plane formed by light passing through the beamsteering member, wherein the beam steering member is two wedge prismseach having the same inclination angle, and wherein the two wedge prismsare disposed in a combined form such that inclination directions ofinclination surfaces are reversely oriented.
 4. The three-dimensionalposition observation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein at leastone of the wedge prisms is disposed such that the inclination surfacefaces a side of the imaging plane.